Book Club, Aunt Fire: playing matchmaker, bracelet, triumph

Showtime, Your Obedient Servant: shy

Amber's Attic: HelgaRowena

Lo's Lowdown, Eponine: unrequited love

Hamilton Mania, getting married: white(predict)

Easy piñata

518 words

Watching from afar is easy. Helga has always been far too shy, too nervous to be upfront about her feelings for Rowena. Envy is such a silly thing, but there are days where she is jealous of Godric's boldness and nerve.

…

"I know your secret," Rowena says, smirking in triumph as her eyes meet Helga's in the mirror.

"My… My secret?" Helga stammers, her fingers clumsily fumbling with the white flowers she's braiding into the other woman's dark hair.

She swallows dryly. Is it possible that Rowena has caught her staring, that she had been able to decipher the longing in Helga's eyes? A blush burns her cheeks, and she forces her attention back to the work at hand. She has always been a terrible liar, and she doesn't know if she will be able to fool Rowena.

"You're pining for Godric," Rowena says, grinning up at her. "I've seen the way you look at him when he and I walk the grounds."

"I don't…"

"No need to be coy, dear. I know," Rowena assures her, reaching up and patting Helga's hand. "Don't fret, dear. I can make your dreams come true."

…

It takes Rowena only two days to try to make Godric fall in love with Helga. Helga is walking the castle corridors, contemplating a visit to the kitchen when Godric catches up to her.

"Rowena said you'd like to speak to me?" he says, offering her a hopeful smile.

She doesn't know how to deny it, so all she can do is smile. "Bread and cheese?" she asks. "I was about to get some for a snack."

…

"I predict you and Godric will be married before the year is out," Rowena says proudly. "I saw his gift to you."

Helga touches her finger to the thin gold bracelet, brushing over its rubies. Touching it feels her with guilt and shame, and she hates herself for accepting it, for playing with his emotions.

But she has to. Even if she will never love him, he is more of a match than Rowena, the woman who forever holds her heart.

…

"I should be honest," Godric says as he and Helga sit atop the Astronomy Tower, watching the night sky. "I am not in love with you."

Relief washes over her. She sighs. "It seems I am not the only one keeping secrets," she says, keeping her eyes fixed upon the twinkling stars above.

"You are not pining for me?" he asks, and the grin on his face his almost laughable.

"I am pining, but not for you," Helga confirms with a heavy sigh.

"Is it Rowena?"

Her heart races, and she looks away quickly. How could he know? What if he uses that knowledge to destroy her?

As though he can read her mind, Godric reaches out and rests his hand on her shoulder. "I see how you look at her," he tells her. "It is with the same longing that I look at Salazar."

She almost smiles. "We have such impossible dreams."

"Yes, but at least we don't have to face them alone."